This is a little late in coming, but I wanted to share some highlights of last week with you in regards to the fast. Earlier in the week I wanted sweet tea so badly that I could hardly stand it. Now, I still want it but I'm not crawling out of my skin to get to it and perspiring under the stress of the inward battle "to drink, or not to drink". ;) Naturally, the most tempting times came when others around me were drinking tea.
Before this fast, I would make a pitcher of sweet tea nearly every night to serve with dinner. I haven't done that since the start of the fast. I guess everyone else in the family just has to suffer with me. But we still go out to eat on occasion, even if it's just to McDonald's or something like that (and can I just say, I love McD's sweet tea! Most people I know say that theirs is too sweet, but not to me. Perfection!). Those times were trying because what I really wanted to do was...well, #1-get my own cup of tea and barring that, #2-finish my kids' one-sip-less-than-full cups of tea....but I didn't! Victory is mine! ;)
Whenever I felt the "urge", I would pray inwardly to God thanking Him for all of my many blessings, for His provision, His safety, His love. Then, I would listen and wait for His voice. Was there someone near me in need of Him? Was there someone close by who needed my help in His name? Did someone come to mind that I should call? Who would have thought that something as insignificant as a glass of sweet tea could bring one to the throne room of the Almighty?
Profile Description
- Stephanie
- I'm a mother of 3 who started blogging as a way to share our many adventures and to expand beyond the everyday "mommy world". While there IS so much more to us mommies than the title, there is very little that doesn't in some way or another lead us back to or influence our children...if anything. So, I hope you enjoy following our family's randomness, because as all moms know- you can never anticipate what tomorrow will bring! Thanks for visiting and have a blessed day! :)
Showing posts with label Christians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christians. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Chicken, Christian, or Both?
This whole gay marriage debate has me nauseous. In response to all the media coverage of Chick-fil-a's position on the matter, facebook is all abuzz and it seems everyone wants to voice their opinions and feelings on the matter...including me. It's exhausting.
What bothers me the most is seeing my Christian friends in support of it, but to make the matter worse, to question my heart because of my differing view. To be called unloving and intolerant by the world is one thing, but to be told by those claiming to be Christians that "people like you are the reason Christians have a bad name" is just heartbreaking.
I hear Christian friends saying things like, "It's not our job to legalize morality or push our beliefs on other people." Or they might say, "We are called to love. Where is your compassion and empathy?" As if Jesus would somehow approve of gay marriage and I am the cold-hearted snake for thinking otherwise. Really?? Is this what our nation and CHURCH has come to? I try to have a respectful debate about the issue, raising what I believe to be valid concerns and rather than get any answers, my Christian character is attacked, I'm compared to those who were against slavery and women's rights, accused of suppressing the rights of others (or out-and-out hating them) and labeled "insecure".
Is there anyone out there willing to critically think through the implications of this issue and have a respectful dialogue without resorting to name calling and attacking the individual (or company, in Chick-fil-a's case)?
I plan to blog another post explaining why I believe legalizing gay marriage is bad for America. At least this way, whenever the subject comes up online I can just post a link to my thoughts without regurgitating them over and over and over again. We, as Christians, really cannot remain silent on this issue. Brothers and sisters, it is time to get involved. Take a lesson from Chick-fil-a and don't be a Christian chicken. ;) Speak out. More on that later. Right now, I need to recharge.
What bothers me the most is seeing my Christian friends in support of it, but to make the matter worse, to question my heart because of my differing view. To be called unloving and intolerant by the world is one thing, but to be told by those claiming to be Christians that "people like you are the reason Christians have a bad name" is just heartbreaking.
I hear Christian friends saying things like, "It's not our job to legalize morality or push our beliefs on other people." Or they might say, "We are called to love. Where is your compassion and empathy?" As if Jesus would somehow approve of gay marriage and I am the cold-hearted snake for thinking otherwise. Really?? Is this what our nation and CHURCH has come to? I try to have a respectful debate about the issue, raising what I believe to be valid concerns and rather than get any answers, my Christian character is attacked, I'm compared to those who were against slavery and women's rights, accused of suppressing the rights of others (or out-and-out hating them) and labeled "insecure".
Is there anyone out there willing to critically think through the implications of this issue and have a respectful dialogue without resorting to name calling and attacking the individual (or company, in Chick-fil-a's case)?
I plan to blog another post explaining why I believe legalizing gay marriage is bad for America. At least this way, whenever the subject comes up online I can just post a link to my thoughts without regurgitating them over and over and over again. We, as Christians, really cannot remain silent on this issue. Brothers and sisters, it is time to get involved. Take a lesson from Chick-fil-a and don't be a Christian chicken. ;) Speak out. More on that later. Right now, I need to recharge.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sunday's Spiritual Smackdown
**Warning- this is an exceptionally long post (and coming from me, that is saying something. ;)) so feel free to break it up into bite-sized pieces if you need to or take a moment to settle in with a nice, hot cup of cocoa and plan to stay for awhile. :) )**
I cried nearly the entire time during church Sunday...both during assembly AND during class. This is not an exaggeration. I was really quite a mess. I know God's hand was especially at work in my life that morning, tugging at my heartstrings. He had a message that I desperately needed to hear. I can say this with full confidence because I know that if we'd gone to assembly first like we usually do (Our church has 2 morning services.), and then to class, I wouldn't have been listening as intently. I probably would have missed it.
I cried nearly the entire time during church Sunday...both during assembly AND during class. This is not an exaggeration. I was really quite a mess. I know God's hand was especially at work in my life that morning, tugging at my heartstrings. He had a message that I desperately needed to hear. I can say this with full confidence because I know that if we'd gone to assembly first like we usually do (Our church has 2 morning services.), and then to class, I wouldn't have been listening as intently. I probably would have missed it.
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